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Friday, 22 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-02-12Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] High-level Turkish gov't delegation receives ethnic Greek reps in IstanbulISTANBUL (ANA-MPA / A. Kourkoulas) -- Representatives of the local ethnic Greek communities met here with a 12-member delegation comprised of local government officials as well as foreign affairs and interior ministries' officials.Both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the ethnic Greek community representatives characterised the meeting as "very important" and a "development of a symbolic nature". The meeting reportedly focused on all issues raised by representatives of the now tiny ethnic Greek community. Turkey's ambassador to the EU, career diplomat Volkan Bozkir, who headed the 12-member delegation, pledged that he will do everything in his power to solve the problems, adding however, that he does not have a "magic wand to provide solutions to everything". The meeting took place at the headquarters of the secretariat that coordinates negotiations with the EU, and was held within the framework of the initiatives undertaken by the Turkish government aimed at dealing with minority issues. A recent Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) report has called on Greece and Turkey to handle minority issues in their true dimension, such as human rights and individual liberties issues. The report also suggested that minority issues should not fall under the jurisdiction of the ministries of foreign affairs as if they concern nationals of a foreign country. A similar appeal has been made repeatedly by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. [02] Minister on pupil's suspension over negative comments on Facebook(ANA-MPA) -- The suspension of a secondary school pupil in Hania, Crete, following criticism posted by the latter on a Facebook account against her principal, prompted a statement on Friday by Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou."The need for the young to express themselves and release their emotions is not only self-evident but, in fact, should be encouraged to do so," Diamantopoulou said, adding however, "the personality and the smooth operation of the school community should be respected." She also noted that a special conference on student-teacher relations is being planned by the ministry, in association with the Children's Ombudsman Office. [03] Stocks end 2.11% lowerStocks again came under strong selling pressures at the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday, pushing the composite index of the market below the 1,900 level. The index ended at 1,899.42 points, off 2.11 pct, with turnover a low 201.977 million euros.The Travel (1.48 pct) and Media (1.13 pct) sectors ended higher, while Banks (4.99 pct) and Telecoms (4.22 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day. Lamda Development (12.90 pct), Klonatex (12.5 pct), Karelias (11.40 pct) and S&B (10.85 pct) were top gainers, while Ideal (9.88 pct), Elfico (9.28 pct), Allatini Ceramics (8.96 pct0 and Aspis Bank (8.89 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 116 to 61 with another 50 issues unchanged. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |